The 'chit' Aspect of brahmn.

The ‘Chit’ Aspect- Consciousness  - prajnyanan brahmam

     One of the first unmanifest forms of ‘brahmn’-the ‘sat’, is the ‘chit’. The unmanifest ‘Supreme Being- ‘brahmn’, is known as ‘sat-chit-ananda’, meaning, ‘Existence’ (Truth/ Knowledge), ‘Consciousness’, and ‘Bliss’. The true nature (mula svarupa) of the entire universe is thus, ‘sacchidanada’ only. It is needless to say, this includes the human beings. Hence, we are basically ‘That’ in our soul, the Atman. The Atman has been variously described in the Upanishads as the Mind (manas), life-force (prana), consciousness (prajnya), Light (jyoti), Bird (pakshi), the Omniscient (all-knowing / ‘chit’), and ‘sat’ or ‘brahmn’. Nobody has ever seen this! But nobody can ever even breathe without ‘IT’! 

    It is ‘to know’ this unknowable, unseen, power (Shakti) that every jiva is working and looking for salvation. It is the embodiment of this supreme power that creates the numerous names of jivas, forms, and functions. Once, this is known, the cycle of bondage and the chain of births and deaths are shattered and the jiva is liberated once and for all! This is mukti or moksha, emancipation of the embodied soul.

   But, what is 'chit'? This 'chit' is a powerful forc that runs the universe and makes it possible to cognize. The jiva cannot even think of it without the help of 'chit' -Consciousness. But, nobody has ever defined what Consciousness is so far! It is not possible to define this since it is not something to be observed as an other and describe it. It is the very power (chit-shakti) that helps the jiva to know both itself as well as an other. Chit is a powerful force (Shakti) that takes different forms such as chiti (fire), chitta (mental power), chetasa (creative energy), chaitanya (prana shakti), prajnya (awareness), and the like. It is the very foundation of the universe. It is called Shiva.

   Consciousness can be aware of itself as well be aware of an other, the objective phenomenal world. When it aware of itself, it is called Shiva; when it is aware of the world, it is called Shakti. Shiva and Shakti are one and the same. However, it works inward or outward at any point of time, like the human beings who stay at home, go out for work, and come back. Consciousness plays different roles like a person who takes on himself different roles at home and outside.

   All that exists is Consciousness only. Hence it is called the brahmn- prajnyam brahmn |

Concept of 'brahmn'- Om tat sat |

     Om tat sat iti nirdesho brahmanastrividhah smrutah |

Meaning, “- Om, tat, and sat are the three attributes used to define ‘brahmn’, used here to eulogize the unqualified, attributeless, absolute brahmn. The first term ‘Om’ is by itself the beginning and the end! The sound ‘Om’ is the primordial sound that emanated from the vibration of ‘sat’ (existence) as ‘chit’ (consciousness). ‘Om’ consists within itself everything that later manifests as the phenomenal objective world. These are: pancha mahabhuta- akasha, vayu, agni, jal and pruthvi which emanate from the five tanmatras- the sparsha, Shabda, rupa, rasa and gandha; and, pancha indriya (five senses) are provided to the living beings (jivarashi) to experience these qualities. All the elements like Hydrogen, Helium, Oxygen, carbon, emanate from the radiant ‘Energy’ of the Sound!

   Hence, ‘Om’ is the first sound, a symbol, an insignia of ‘brahmn’. ‘Om’ is in fact not a word. It is the sound of a big bang, explosion- shukra sphota! This is the ‘pranava’, brahmn.

   The universe begins from the sound (Shabda), the vibration (nada).So we have Shabda brahmn and nada brahmn. From ‘Om’ emanates the ‘sat’ (existence) and from it comes the ‘chit’- the pure Consciousness (Shuddha Vidya).The entire universe is pervaded by these three attributes of ‘brahmn’.

   It is mandatory to use ‘Om’ before and after uttering a mantra. It binds the power of the mantra intact and makes it very effective. Finally, the term ’iti’ is used to indicate the end of the discussion. Om | tat sat iti || “That’s it!”

   ‘That’s It’ is the English transcription of a verse in the Bhagavad-Gita [Ch.17. verse 23]. ‘That’ is the word used for brahmn since there is no suitable word to express that which has no attributes, the brahmn. We cannot define brahmn When brahmn only exists and nothing else, what can be said of ‘It’ or ‘That’? If brahmn is the noun, both ‘It’ and ‘That’ stand for it as pronouns. So, “That’s It.”. Ultimately, brahmn is what is called the ‘Self’, the Atman, of all. So also the word ‘It’; It sums up the doctrine of brahmn enunciated in all the ancient scriptures such as the Agamas, the Veda, Upanishads, brahmasutras, the Bhagavad-Gita and the like. The verse reads:

  As already stated in the previous blogs, we use the terms ‘Om’ and ‘That’ (‘tat’) as an insignia, a sound and a word for want of any other suitable sound, syllable, word, or a sentence to define ‘brahmn’ The term ‘brahmn’ is by itself a term that stands for ‘nothing’. This state of nothingness is not vacuum, shunya, or absolute silence, but a ‘gap’ (sandhi),  a sort of dynamic silence, just like we take a breath every time before we start speaking. This is well defined as the state of ‘brahmn, a state of nothingness, at the time of ‘beginningless beginning’! Only ‘That’ (‘tat’) that we do not know and that which we can never ever know existed at a time when not even ‘Time’, ‘Space’, and ‘Causality’ had not yet begum! So the learned sages defined ‘brahmn’, the primordial Supreme Being- ‘tat sat’ as:

      tat brahmaa, tad Vishnu, tat sarvam, tat param padam ||

Also, they said sarvam khaluvidam brahmaa ||

The Universe as manifest brahmn 

   Everything is ‘brahmn’. sarvam khaluvidam brahmaa |  There is no separate existence for the universe- the stars, the planets, the satellites and the living creatures. Everything manifests from ‘the One’ only, ‘that brahmn’ There was no time when brahmn did not exist! The universe that manifests from brahmn to exists at all times. There will be interludes between successive appearances and disappearances of the universe. This is elaborated here.

    One fundamental principle is that ‘the universe exists at all times’; however, it is in suspended animation between two successive appearances and disappearances. These are credited to the sleeping state of brahmn after a day’s work. One day of brahmn is supposed to last 14 manvantaras, each one of 4.32 million years! The first one started with Vivasvan (Sun), as stated in the Bhagavad-Gita and the present one is the seventh, called the Vaivasvata manvantara. Each manvantara starts with a Sun (Star), seven Rishis, devi-devatas as elemental gods (air, fire, water, etc) and the elders (manes/pitrus). We are now living in the first quarter of the fourth Yuga called the Kali yuga that lasts for about 432 000 years. Three earlier ones- ‘dva para’ (the second earlier), ‘treta’ (the third) and the ‘kruta’ (satya) yugas are over. There will be a disastrous end to this ‘kali’ yuga, only to be heralded by the new ‘satya’ yuga where people will be highly knowledgeable, divine, and peace and prosperity spreads everywhere.  
   The Moon was born from his Purusha* mind; the Sun came into being from his eye; from his mouth came Indra and Agni, while from his breath the Wind was born. From his navel issued the Air; from his head unfurled the Sky, the Earth from his feet, from his ear the four directions. Thus have the worlds been organized. Seven were the sticks of the enclosure, thrice seven the fuel sticks were made, when the Gods, performing the sacrifice, bound the Man as the victim. [Rk Veda X, 90, 13-15]

The soul is born and unfolds in a body, with dreams and desires and the food of life. And then it is reborn in new bodies, in accordance with its former works. The quality of the soul determines its future body; earthy or airy, heavy or light.[Krishna Yajur Veda, Svetasvatara Upanishad, 5.11-12. upm, p. 94].

"THAT'S IT"- Om tat sat iti |

    It is proposed to discuss a few important concepts of Vedanta and compare with the findings of the latest scientific research here. It is not very surprising to those who have a good knowledge of science as well Vedanta to know that bot are same. However, what the great sages thought, visualized, and put in the form of short sutras, phrases, mantra or verses has been placed before us in the form of formulae, theories, postulations and hypothesis. But, one difference is there. What the scientists present today may undergo change tomorrow and nothing is certain. They hold 'Probability theory' most sacred and are ready to change. This is not the case with the Vedantins. Vedanta affirms that what the Veda says is final and irrevocable! Yes. What the Veda says is beyond any doubt. It is the vision one had in his transcendent meditative mode and it is an intuitional knowledge, a divine one, at that. No one can question it. In fact anybody can have that 'darshan', visualize the truth for oneself. Once a person has gained this vision and knowledge he will not turn to others. This is the Veda, true knowledge. 
  This is what they say at the end- Om tat sat iti |

Further,. . .

    Further, it is 'spirituality', not philosophy, that helps the jiva in living a very happy, joyful, peaceful life, especially, in old age. Philosophical discussions often end in confusion, generate ill will and strife due to the ego factor involved in it. Philosophy is just philo sophia, mere love of words and we find most of the university professors of philosophy are just that! In fact, Philosophy departments in Universities all over the world are on the verge of closing down for want of students. Spirituality? Yes. Philosophy? No.
 When we mean philosophy, it is not about the Bharatiya darshana shastra. Western philosophy is different from the Indian Philosophy in the sense that the latter has a different perspective, different concept of God, creation (srushti), sustenance (sthiti) and dissolution (laya), and merger (vilaya) altogether in a perspective different from that of the West. 
    We do not use the term God, instead, we deal with the Devi-devata, Vedic elements that are Shakti, Forces, like the sun, fire, water, air, earth, vegetation, etc truly in the scientific way the physicists deal with!* We do not think because we exist. Or, for that matter, we do exist to think, inquire into the reality of our existence. We think about how and why we exist. Also we think what next and where we go from here after death. Before that we try to know where we come from. Hitherto, what we thought was only about life as something "from dust unto dust". But, now we know it is a journey 'from stardust to stardust". 
 The whole life is a journey,     payana, adhvaryu (Rk Veda). It is just a flow of consciousness. This eternal flow of consciousness in all manifest forms is the world. There is no existence without consciousness. Hence, 'Chit' is conscious of itself (as Shiva) and "conscious of the other" (jagat). This is exemplified in all the six forms of Bharatiya darshana shastra- sankhya, yoga, nyaya, vaisheshika, purva mimamsa adn Vedanta (uttara mimamsa). We do not consider Western thoughts about creation, God, death, etc. here.
   This is also the reason why some of our great spiritualists like Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesha Yogi, Swami Vivekananda went to Western Countries to talk about the Indian spiritual heritage,
  Who are the spiritualists? Great scientists, poets (like Wordsworth, Keats, Tennyson, or Kalidasa and Purandhara Dasa and Kanaka Das), artists- musicians, painters, sculptors, etc are all spiritualists. In fact, all are spiritualists at birth, but take to some avocation by force of circumstances, but for which they would remain great spiritualists like Sage Ramana Maharshi or Sri Ramakrishna.  

  Spiritual development is a gift of the supreme Lord, 'anugraha', carryover of the past good actions purvapunya, and the blessings of the Guru and elders. In a way, this is due to discovering the inner strength and weaknesses of the embedded elemental jivatman. The jivatman, meaning, an Atma embedded in elemental body (panchabhuta shareera), realizes the fact that it is not the elemental body but the Atman, the core of its substance and the quality of the Atma has no attributes and it only reflects the nature of the the elements (bhuta) only! The moment the jiva realizes this, it stops judging other people and start showering unconditional love. This is the divine aspect that manifests from knowledge, jnyan, Atma sakshatkara. A wise person knows that all jivas have come here as the manifest forms of brahman, an attributeless one, only, and as such, have no attributes of its own. This knowledge of the self, by itself, brings immense peace, joy, and happiness to jivas.
   We have seen such great people in our midst. They are rich and famous, unassuming, kind and affable, exemplary! Such persons are evolved souls and spiritually attained ones in the strict sense of the term. One need not run to a forest to achieve this in ones life. A little bit of contemplation, meditation, will do the trick! Upanishads are full of stories that help the students understand this principle.
   But, then,why sadhana for spiritual development? It is by quirk of fate, destiny, that some take to spiritual sadhana. Most of the people are not interested in the spiritual aspects since their desire, dreams and ambitions, their karma klesha or prarabhda will not allow them to even think of this sacred path. Bhagavan Sri Krishna advises Arjuna "not to neglect the Atman". He also says, "There is no other way but to take the help of Atman only to attain Atman (Atma sakshatkara). Buddhi, manas, and Indriyas will not help in this regard.
* Today Scientists also speak the way we, as spiritualists, speak. See for instance:  

    Leading Scientist Says "Everything, Including Our World, Is An Illusion "

   The world that humans see around them is nothing more than a very convincing illusion, according to one of the world’s leading cognitive scientists. 

     Donald Hoffman, a scientist at the University of California, claims that people are being tricked into believing their own reality, and what they see around them is nothing more than a facade that enables humans to get through their daily lives without having to deal with the “hidden matrix” that lurks behind everything.

    Hoffman says that when you see something that you think is solid, such as a red tomato, you cannot be sure that when you close your eyes that it still exists. He says what you are actually seeing is entirely constructed inside your mind. The tomato doesn’t actually exist.

Dailymail.co.uk reports:

Galileo once wrote: ‘I think that tastes, odors, colors, and so on reside in consciousness.

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‘Hence if the living creature were removed, all these qualities would be annihilated.’

And Hoffman says, in some ways, he agrees with this statement.

‘Neuroscientists tell us that they are creating, in real time, all the shapes, objects, colours, and motions that we see,’ he said in a Ted Talk.

‘It feels like we’re just taking a snapshot of this room the way it is, but in fact, we’re constructing everything that we see.

‘We don’t construct the whole world at once. We construct what we need in the moment.’

Neuroscientists believe our perceptions of the world are an evolutionary trait that gave our ancestors the advantage when having to make quick decisions with little information.

[Posted on April 25, 2016 by Sean Adl-Tabatabai in Sci/Environment]. 

We acknowledge this with grateful thanks to the authors and publishers.

How does Spirituality help?

'Spirituality' is not religion, philosophy, not even morals and ethics. It has nothing to do with our mind, intellect, or ego. It transcends all. It is concerned with the 'Self', the Atman, rather than worldly objects, 'an other'. Spiritual journey is a very long inward journey. It involves gradual withdrawal of all the out-going tendencies of- the senses, the mind, the ego, and the intellectual pursuits, and finally turning them inward toward the Self, 'the Atman'. Hence, 'spirituality' concerns with the Atma, adhyatma. The Bhagavad-Gita clarifies these facts well and defines what is adhyatma, adhibhoutika and adhi daivika jnyan.
    How does this spiritual pursuit help the jiva? In what way will the withdrawal from sensuous life help the jiva? This is exactly the problem and the solution that we seek to understand here.

  The Upanishads are of diverse views on this subject and each school of thought and the teacher who follows it has explained this, and often, in a contradictory way. Sage Yajnyavalkya (while explaining this concept to his wife Maitreyi) is of the opinion that one should retreat to forest, take to renunciation. This withdrawal from the worldly life will bring eternal bliss, supreme happiness. All other happiness that one experiences is ephemeral, transient, limited by maya- time, space and causality. However, there are advocates who want that the jiva should not run away from life. Nothing can be achieved from escapism. Mundaka, mandukya, Chhandogya, Katha, Kena and Ishavasya give more details about sadhana. Brahmasutra is the best guide. But, what is the right path, the right path, 'sat-nyas'?
   This is explained in the sacred scriptures. Those who want real happiness, unbounded happiness, eternal happiness that does not depend on external objects or persons (nirupadhika ananda) should take heed from the leaves of scriptures. Let us see some of the scriptures about this.

   First, the agama shastra clarifies the true nature of the jivas, ie the embodied souls, elemental bodies, that depend on air, water, and food obtained from the soil for survival. These elements possess qualities and these qualities are transferred to jivas which depend them. The earth is gross (tamas) and the jiva becomes gross (tamas) eating the food from the gross earth (soil). Hence, it is not expected to be highly sattvik, divine and always dwell in 'sat', the truth,
  The  agama shastra defines the jiva as the one that has imbibed gross qualities. Hence, the jiva has to tell lie, cheat, run after things, that do not exist, and finally end in disillusion. This is a rule than exception. If an honest merchant goes on selling his products at the cost price, he will not be able to make profit. He has to make enough money to pay for transport, wastage, incidental expenses and earn enough for his family maintenance and keep some for the business to run. If he sells at cost price he will not get profit to survive, let alone carry on his trade any more! So also, nobody can sit quiet. People run after wealth (money), name, fame, power, and finally get disillusioned whether succeed or fail in their attempts. Even the wise Purushothama Sri Ramachandra, despite a learned one who studied under Vashishtha and Vishvamitra Rishis, went after a golden deer and we saw what happened to him in the epic Ramayana! So no human is an exception.This drives a sensible man to give up all worldly desires and be happy.

  Hence, it is realized that "giving up worldly desires brings immense happiness. So one should discard worldly pursuits, be happy with his lot, trust in the lord Almighty, be happy and contented. This is wisdom taught by the scriptures.

Second, the Veda and the Upanishads teach us to work for release from the eternal bondage, repeated births and deaths. They clearly state that the earth is made of elements that are subject to change constantly, and create changes moment to moment. So also, the embodied jivatman goes on changing from childhood, youth, finally ole age and death. So transcend time, space, and causality through yoga sadhana and be happy forever! Neither the atman is born nor will it die. Think who you are. You are not the body, not the fickle mind, not the buddhi (that is always perverted thinking of profit and pleasure!) , nor the ego and the person of limited existence in time. Think you are unborn, immortal and eternal- the jivajyoti, the LIGHT.  There is no other Light than the Self.

The scriptures say, "When the five (senses) cease to function (acknowledge/ cognize), together with the mind, and the intellect stirs not-that, they say, is the highest course." [Krishna Yajurveda, Maitra Upa., 6.30. uph, 443]

   "In the world of heaven there is no trace of fear. You, Death, are not there. There one dreads not old age. Thirst and hunger transcended and sorrow over-passed, a man rejoices in the world of heaven." [Krishna Yajurveda, Katha Upa., 1.12. ve, 639]

Old Age Problems- Some Solutions

    Old age is said to be a curse. It is full of misery, infirmity, sickness,and helplessness.Nobody, born on earth, can ever overcome these, unless they take the help of an attained person, a siddhi purusha.  Many old couple feel neglected by their family and some are left in the old age homes.Children cheat their parents by giving false promises, getting property papers  signed, and ultimately drive them out of home. Even if the sons are good, the same may not be true of the daughters-in-law. We have seen many instances where parents suffer, may be, due to their own follies. Nothing is certain since every case has a different story to reveal!
    This problem of old age is not restricted to only poor people; even the rich are not exempt from this. Money will not completely help this. At best one can afford to have some housemaids and other servants. But they, too, have their own problems. Nobody can fully take care of old people all the time for, their sufferings are not just of physical nature that can be taken care of, but of mental, emotional, and  sub-conscious nature. They feel neglected even when they are fully taken care of.   We tend to forget that children do not have time for their parents or elders for they are busy with their job, children, and have to earn for a livelihood. Their children's future is more important to them than that of the parents! Moreover, they too want to enjoy their life and may feel that the old parents are a nuisance. Even if the children inherit large property, they do not feel obliged to take care of the parents. In fact, property is the main cause for all the problems in the family. What is the remedy for this?

    Let us not forget the fact that Prince Gautama, with his young wife and child, went in search of an answer to these problems and finally became 'totally silent' (attained nirvana), became a Buddha). What did he realize? He must have realized the fact that 'these are problems associated with the earth and, as earthlings, we are bound to suffer'. May be, he realized the fact that  'none can overcome these problems' by just forgetting them' and take things as they come. Moreover, we do not know anything about him since he did not speak a word after his enlightenment What all wee read or hear is the opinion of his followers who did not reach his height of consciousness. Even the next attained person, Paramrtha Samudgatha, did not understand what the Buddha said! But, one thing is certain; "there is a solution, a possible or probable one, at that".

 The solutions to old age problems, may be take precautions like a Life Insurance Policy? Atleast the medical bills can be taken care of. But the best thing is to take to yoga? Yoga makes a person fit to live joyfully in old age. Satsang, spiritual studies and practices like mantra japa, chakra dhyana, engaging is divine thoughts will keep one healthy. 

   Yes. By taking recourse to yoga one can definitely overcome the problems of old age, sickness and death!

  The real meaning of ashtanga yoga is 'eight steps to reach samadhi'. The sadhaka should maintain a disciplined life and live a healthy life and, it provides a number of techniques regarding maintaining good health. First step is yama and niyama; second one is pratyahara (withdraw senses from their out-going tendency) and Ishvara pranidana (surrender to the supreme Lord). By the time one gets control over the first two, the person has already conquered the problems. By the time one comes to samadhi, he has already overcome the limitations of time, space, causality and thereby, death, too. These are age-old practices and great yogis have lived and shown us the way. If we indulge in sensuous life even after seventy, even God cannot help us.  

   Now, as regards the problems of old age and death, it is certain that nobody can overcome these. But, these are solved by jnyana, viveka, and vairagya on the one hand and yajnya (sacrifice), daana (social service) and tapas (renunciation and living in the service of God doing dhyana/meditation / mantra japa all the available time.

   The exact way these help us by diverting our mind from the immediate body sufferings and mental afflictions and engaging ourselves in the service of the downtrodden and meditation. This is what exactly a doctor does when we complain of severe pain; he does gives us a sedative or pain killer. The same effect of a sedative or pain killer is also done by meditation (med i tat i on, meaning, "i contemplate on 'tat'/ I 'brahmn'). This meditation is a panacea to all human problems. 

   We will consider the various aspects of spiritual practices attaining and dwelling in 'brahmn' next.

By now....

    By now, more than 300 blogs are posted here and almost ten thousand views have been reported, some casually, and some more serious viewers. This may interest those who have reached some state in lfe where this knowledge is of solace. Actually, this knowledge is a panacea for all the troubled souls and the satiated ones, alike. The more one is interested in these thoughts, the more it is certain that the jiva is mature enough. This guidance is forthcoming, as if, a divine order working on the jiva!

The best way to use these blogs is to contemplate on each and every idea and refer it to one's soul rather than to its buddhi. These divine thoughts are more appealing to the soul of the jiva, jivatman. The jivatman already knows and, hence, it comes as a 'self-referral' consciousness. This is the ultimate knowledge! When the jiva knows 'who he/she is', he reverts to his/her pure state  Hence this knowledge comes as a reminder (pratyabhijnya), remembering what one has forgotten.

   There is a scripture by the Title "pratyabhijnya hridayam". It  leads us to attainment of the Self. An attained soul is one that is not bothered about the happenings at the sensuous level  and will not indulge in worldly affairs since it has discovered the reality, 'the truth' about its true nature.

   Hope these blogs will redeem the souls bogged down in the earthly mire. The jiva suffers due its ignorance of its true nature and knows not how to get rid of the shackles of maya- the limitations of time, space and causality. Everyone can transcend time, space and causality by realization of the self. This takes us to the path of yoga (transcendental meditation) that leads to the state of 'sama prajnya samadhi'. 

   We will present some selected verses from the scripture in the next few blogs. 

Lalleshvari

    'Lalleshvari" by Prof. Jayashree  Kak (Pub. MLBD) is a beautiful poem, a Kashmiri folk song. It is common to sing this song at the time of celebrations like naming ceremony of a child, or any other festivities. But it is a sad story of a newly married girl ill-treated in the in-laws house. Finally, she was driven out of the house. An old man who saw her her crying on the street heard the whole incident and blessed her with spiritual powers. This is how she turned into a saint and the poem is all about the path to attain spiritual powers. It says, "It is not easy to attain to Shiva". There are many incidents associated with her and the village folks used to sing these on occasions.
  Another interesting account is that of Dr. Ranade of Nimbal near Bagalkot (Karnataka) who held the position of Professor of Philosophy, and later, Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University. Dr. S Radhakrishnan, Professor of Philosophy in University of Mysore, and Later in Calcutta University praised him as "a real Professor who walks philosophy while I only teach. " Prof. Ranade is a mystic! A mystic is between Man and God; such is the power!. Here again, there are many incidents associated with the life and work of Professor Ranade.
   Another celebrity is Bharata Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. As he himself narrated, "there came a time in my life when I felt I am neither here nor there. I went to Mantralayam and sat on the Banks of the R. Tungabhadra and started singing. A black dog used to come and sit near me and go away after my singing is over. I use to search for it and found it nowhere! Then came the turning point. I never turned back since then.
   These incidents are cited here in order to emphasize the fact that there is altogether a different world , a mystic one, than what we see in our everyday life. Very few can understand and appreciate these unless they face adversities in life, or get a shock treatment as a turning point in life.
   The jiva goes on reveling in a sensuous life and forgets itself. There is no scope for atma-chintana as long as one is busy in the external world. A day will come when everything deserts the jiva and it is forced to think of its self! Till then, there is no chance for redemption.  

"Being Happy for no Reason"

    "Being Happy for no Reason" is the Title of a book by Sri Shivananda. Sri Shivananda is the 'deeksha naama' of a professor of NY State University English Department. As a Jewish boy fro a ghetto, he had a very tough life and finally made up to the University position. He had a good knowledge of Indian philosophy and friends used to meet him and discuss on various mystic experiences.On one such day, a very strange thing happened. A tall and hefty person knocked on the door. This stranger held his revolver to the face of the Professor, pushed him in, and asked all others to lie down. He muttered something like- 'he is not here' and left. But, this professor who was in a state of shock soon recovered and thought deeply about the incident. He thought that there must be some divine intervention and decided to come to India and reached Pune. It is here that transformation took place. Somebody introduced him to Ganeshpuri Baba. Baba asked him to stay in the ashram and and chant "Shivoham". He stayed in the ashram, worked in the garden, helped in the kitchen, attended Baba's lectures and rest of the time quietly chanted the maha mantra- "Shivoham" for almost seven years, One day he was watering the plants in the garden. He felt like returning to New York thinking it is all a waste of time. Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulders. He looked back and found Baba. Baba asked him, "Well, you think all these are a mere waste of time"? He told him, "You may go back". This is the moment he felt a tremendous surge and felt totally transformed! He returned  to his job and wrote his first book- "Being Happy for No Reason". Then came his second most beautiful work on "Shiva Sutras". He started a separate publication department and published works on Kashmir Shaivism.

  Thus, many a mystic ways are there to attain enlightenment. Nothing can be said for sure about spiritual path. It seems that a divine intervention is called for in all these things and things happen.

HAPPINESS

   What is happiness? Is it a state of our mind? Can we be happy without any external aid (upadhirahita)? Should we always seek somebody, something or some other place for our happiness or, can we be happy where we are with what we are? Why do we look out for happiness? All these are very important questions and one should analyse these and get a clear answer from within. One should seek an answer within since these are not problems concerning others, but oneself.
   This problem of seeking happiness outside of one's self underlies a very important principle that "Every jiva is born by the 'Will of the Lord' and comes to earth with a built-in mechanism to live and work with a divine purpose; it is fully equipped with knowledge, information, technology and ability to transform (KITKAT) and, as such, can attain its goal."Also,it is important to remember that "Every jiva comes alone and gets back alone, as also, most of the time lives alone; and, all other associations are incidental and just trivial!" It is like passengers getting in and getting out of a train.

    The first and foremost thing is that we should know what is happiness. And then, 'if we want to be happy' we must feel happy. A person who feels happiness, joy is oneself. Happiness, joy, laughter, or even the opposite of these are the emotional aspects. Feelings of happiness is something that emanates from the heart as an emotional outburst. This emotional out-burst from ones inner instruments (antahkarana) is not entirely connected with Intelligence (buddhi). There is no role for buddhi and discretion here. If one is happy, he is happy that is all! Scientific researches have found some interesting facts.  The molecules that connect the brain cells operate in such a way that flash of light is emitted when certain message is reached. However, what message is reached and what reaction comes out from these flashes(electric charges in neurons) is not clear. The same molecule may trigger happiness or a warning!
  It is now discovered that neurotransmitters (driven by chemical activity) travel between brain cells send messages and there is a hidden signalling network in the brain that responds. Signalling molecules, glutamate, in a single gap between two neurons convey messages. Noradrenaline, a molecule, is involved in alertness. The dopamine molecules are involved in our experiencing pleasure, happiness.
   What we feel is due to the electric charges, resonances, waves and vibrations through the touch (sparsh) of the jivatman! It is in our nerves and neurons to experience, convey, communicate, respond, react and every molecule or cell in our boy (unimaginable numbers of these exist in our bones, blood, brain, skin, and every organ!) perform sixty thousand different functions every moment! The undercurrent that flows between molecules due to chemical action is responsible for a persons reaction to certain situation. Every cell, every molecule, consists of  genes, amino-acids, vitamins, enzymes, ribo-nucleic acids, DNA, harmones, chromosomes, knowledge, information, technology and ability to transform, and such other resources needed for the protection, growth, development and reproduction. There are twenty-thousand types of proteins that cover different types of cells and induce different reactions in them to perform different functions in the body! 

  Now, the problem of joy and happiness can be answered from the Vedanta (adhyatmic) point of view. A spiritual person will not easily respond to external circumstances since he/she is inwardly established in the Self, Atman. He is a person who has gained mastery over his mind, a sthitaprajnya, a person of pure, unblemished, stilled mind. When the vibration ceases there is a calmness that brings supreme joy! The outward situations do not disturb such attained persons.

   It is very clear that there is nothing in this transient world of phenomenal objects that can ever bring eternal happiness to jiva. The jiva is already happy and it suffers only due to its ignorance as to its true nature. Nothing is real in this world'. "All relational existence are unreal, says Shri Krishnanandaji, Shivananda Ashrama Rishikesh.

   This is what exactly the saying in the Gita is. A sthita prajnya is not perturbed by the happenings outside. Bhagavan Shree Krishna goes to the extent of saying, "One should not cry for a person dead or alive"! A person of equanimous mind (sthitaprajnya) is not affected by praise or abuse, profit or loss, free from love and hate. He has overcome all dualities (dvandvatmika pravrutti). Further, the wise one knows that the world is an illusory one that comes within the grip of time, space and causality; time is an illusion by itself and creates an illusory space in which all transient objects are accommodated. Thus, a person should realize that nothing is real in the ever-changing world. That way, all jivas exist in a time frame and disappear with out a trace!

   What for do we cry as if all that we possess came with us and go with us? One should realize the fact that there is a divine order, divine plan, Everything happens according to a pre-planned program, an unseen hand (adrushta shakti or kaanada kai) directing it. One should not forget the fact that this mystery of the unseen is solved when one realizes the supreme Lord seated within the cavity of our own heart and directing every thought and action of ours. Lord Shree Krishna assures to take care of us and protect us if we look to Him for guidance and help. In fact, the Lord only helps Droupadi when she calls for help; but Yudhisthira forgot the Lord Krishna who was just nearby due to his foolishness. He did not call for help when was losing the game of dice! On the other hand, intelligent Duryodhana, who did not even know the game of dice, used Shakuni and wins it. This is the secret. The learned sages sing in praise of the Lord and say, "There is none suffering due to firm faith in the Lord, let those who do not have faith in the Lord suffer"! "nambi kettavarillavo, nambade kettavarilla ninna hariye"  in Kannada.  Absolute faith in the supreme Lord is called for here.

  Pray Lord Krishna and be always happy and joyful.

  

Diseases (taapa-traya)

  Diseases are 'tapa-traya', the three ailments caused due to imbalances in the three basic factors that govern health- vaata (vayu/air), pitthah (agni/fire), and kafa (jal/ water). This imbalance (taapa) is closely associated with the impaired breathing. Normally, we breath in seven cycles of- inhale through left (ida/cold/soma or moon), and pingala (right/heat/sun) nostril, respectively. Any change in this cycle due to wrong postures in sleeping or mental agony, tension, or anxiety that cause impairments cause the tapa- traya and lead to cold, cough, and fever. These are the errors that can be rectified by rest. However, when we take recourse to external aid of chemicals and drugs will create the imbalances in the system's own defense mechanism. The human body creates all the essential chemicals, enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and proteins in exact proportions and maintains the balance; calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, salts, sugars, etc are all created within the body in required proportions.from the food we eat and, thereby, maintain the body's health. This mechanism is disturbed if we add chemicals from outside. Hence there is an adage- "Do not run to pot for every thirst and do not run to doctor for every ailment"
  The human beings are the most delicate as compared to all the other creatures. The evolutionary process is so complex that it is extremely difficult to explain how such a creature is created! It is still a matter of research and many interesting facts are now available. Every cell (of the trillions and trillions in different organs and tissues of the body) in the system is specially equipped with the divine qualities such as Shakti, jnyana, aishvarya (resources), bala, virya, and tejas. These six qualities are that of Srman Narayana, delegated to His executive agency Mahalakshmi, who in turn delegates these to Vasudeva. Vasudeva, the Father of the jivarashis, Governor of the World, entrusts these powers to three other agencies, like Lt. Governors- Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Anituddha, each one having two powers preponderating over others. Thus, the humans, who are the direct descendants of the Aniruddha Shakti as Manu, manu-manu and manav, have imbibed a bit of all these powers in the cells (jivakosha). This is what is stated as tad srushtva tadevaanu pravishat | We all are anoraneeyan, microns, microcosms of the Macrocosm,  mahato maheeyan.  The  jiva does not  realize this!.

    Human beings are prone to suffer diseases or illness often. These diseases are just like the erroprs on the computer screen and could be easily rectified. The reasons for the ailments are not difficult to find. Since the physical body is made of elements such as soil (food), water, fire, air and fire (panch bhuta), it is natural to imbibe the qualities of these elements.Every thing is gross, at the first instance. These gross elements are made of subtler aspects, tanmatras. The causes are partly inherent defects as embedded in the genes, partly hereditary and partly environmentally acquired. The genetic disorders can be corrected. The environmental factors are the most troubling due to high rate of pollution. The food, water, air- are all contaminated by the abuse of resources by the humans. However, the supreme Lord, the creator, assures to rake care of us (says, yogaksemam vahaaymyam) provided we surrender to him (maam upetya tu kounteya). But, how, how?

   There are innumerable ways of warding of our diseases (dis-eases), ailments. All ills such as consumption of wrong foods. drinks, wrong habits, evil thoughts, etc. cause ailments. First thing is to find the related aspects such as manas, buddhi, ahankara- which most of the people ignore. A clean mind is the firs prerequisites of a healthy person. Second aspect is the buddhi (intelligence) which the jiva does not use properly, It is perverted intelligence, vipareeta buddhih, that causes dis ease of the mind and body (psychosomatic). Ahankaara is at the root of all the ailments. Every cell in the human body performs the assigned job for the fear of the Lord seated in the heart! But, one who ignores this- sanctity of the body- as a temple, is bound to suffer; desecrating, abusing, misusing and ill-treating the body in the eagerness to enjoy a sensuous life cause misery, illness and diseases.
    A spiritually enlightened jiva never suffers! But, prarabhdha karma, effects of evil thoughts and actions, done in the past will not guarantee this disease-free life even if one is on the spiritual path! So, a person has to live diligently, keep his body, mind, intellect and ahankara at the service of the Lord and enjoy a divine life- one of beauty, joy forever. A pron of sattvik (pure) nature will enjoy a better life than the others. Patanjali insists on yama, niyama, and pratyahara for this purpose. So, what sort of life we lead is important. It lies in our own hands to lead a simple good life.
    Running to doctors for all ailments is the first mistake and drugging the system is another bigger mistake. There are many alternate methods, upaya, such as mantra therapy, nature cure, yoga, chakra dhyana, and other easy solutions. Satsang is very important for it gives a community living with pious people that cleanses mind of impurities that cause diseases. Hence, human have to evolve from their present lower status with animal propensities (pashuvrutti) and live at a much higher, human, level of existence. This is what is meant by yogasu karma koushalah | meaning, live and work intelligently warding of all evils.

E = m.c2

   E = m.c2 is the Title of a book, a scientist's inquiry into the true nature of existence. Sri Virarajeshvara, an IBM computer scientist, worked in USA, returned to India and settled down in his ashram near Hosur 22 KM from Bengaluru. His spiritual quest ended with his samadhi in 2016. His autobiography reveals how he was disappointed with the worldly existence, particularly when he witnessed the attitude,behavior, life of the people in the West. He remained a bachelor and wandered all over the world. Often he returned to India leaving his job and searched for the real meaning of life. He met almost all the famous Swamis in remote corners of India and had discussion with them. He was a yoga expert and was unhappy the way yoga was taught in the yoga institutes. Finally, his book is quite a revelation. He had a clear understanding about spiritual attainments. He narrates how 'Atma-jnyan' is attained and it seems he was an attained soul.

   There are many scriptures that specifically deal with 'Atma-jnyan'. Atmopanishad, Maitrayani Upanishad; Bhavanopanishad, and many others deal with Atma-jnyan. The Bhagavad-Gita is, indeed, a very beautiful scripture that ultimately leads a spiritual seeker to spiritual attainment. What is required is total faith; even blind faith will do. Unless there is firm faith and devotion no spiritual attainment is possible. Bhagavan assures that He will redeem all those who surrender to Him with full faith. The Lord demands total devotion. He would appreciate if the jiva drops all its desires and works its way according to His will. Any doubt in Him will not redeem the jiva. He, the Lord, is all powerful, omnipotent (sarvashakta), all-knowing (omniscient) and shall liberate us from ignorance. If we do not trust Him, it is our fate! When He, the Lord, is always looking at us and taking care of us, if we do not even look for Him and pray, we are so ungrateful that we do not deserve His grace. samshayatma vinashyati |  

   There are some who argue that Bhagavan is no where to be found and it is foolish to talk about all these! Well, there is no answer to the queries of non-believers. The so called believers, too, have not been able to convincingly explain all these spiritual matters. In fact, this spiritual quest is not concerning any third person, a hypothetical seeker. There is no seeker besides one's self. I should take the medicine if I am suffering from any ailment. Somebody need not work for me in this matter; so also in this spiritual quest. However, Sri Ramakrishna took on himself redeeming the non-believer Girish Upadhyaya, a great stage artist whose drama Sri Ramakrishna, personally enjoyed; he was so impressed with his talent, felt so sad at the way of his life, that he took pity on him and tried to initiate him. Finally, he became such a fan that he worked one hour extra in meditation for the sake of his redemption! It is stated that it is more beneficial if one can pray for others.

    This world is full of skeptics, non-believers, and doubting Thomases. It is none of our concern to worry about someone else, an other jiva, that is enjoying a worldly life and does not bother to know its inner strength and weaknesses. It is too early to expect it, too. One cannot think of a jiva to develop an other-worldly (paaramarthika) interest and work for it. All jivas are moving in a long journey and each one has reached a certain station in its life. Only a few jivas have reached or come nearer to their destination, only to take another birth soon; and, none ever thinks of a return journey towards the home departing from the earth once and for all. In fact, the jiva has to become pure enough like a photon, a spark of fire, discarding all that one has acquired.   

Knowledge (Jnyan), Light, and Life

   If we go back to the time when the creation was in its formative state according to the nasadiya sukta of Rk Veda, there was "neither existence, nor existence at the beginningless beginning". Further, "there was darkness kaalarnav, also meaning 'dark water' for ignorance) everywhere", and "pure consciousness only existed" as "chit" (Consciousness). This 'chit' is the manifest form of "sat" that existed as brahman at all times! This "brahman" is unborn and nobody knows what it is! This brahman is variously defined by the learned yogis who have personally visualized it. Hence it is the visioning that helped them to know, to understand and experience the brahman. These visionaries have clarified that brahman can be visualized in transcendental meditative mode and cannot be expresses by thoughts, images, and words. There is no name, form, and function, as yet, and thus, it, "THAT" ('tat') remains beyond expression. However, it is everywhere since it has pervaded the entire creation. In fact, the universe, or brahmanda is only a minuscule particle of what 'brahman' is!

   This 'brahman' is the first ever unmanifest 'nothingness' to emanate from that dynamic silence (mahattanta shanta, shuddha-vidya). From this unmanifest brahman emanated sat, chit and ananda. This 'sat' (existence) was 'asat' (non-existence) since it was obscured. This obscure nature of 'sat' is 'asat'; 'sat' and 'asat' are not two, but one unmanifest manifestation of brahman only.
  'One' only manifests as 'an other' is the fundamental principle. And, as such, all dualities such as knowledge and ignorance, light and darkness, day and night, are not two but one that appears in the absence of the other.There is interesting episode here.

  Once, Darkness (nisha devi) went to brahman and complained that 'Light' (prakasha) is troubling her, not allowing it to appear in its presence. Brahman called 'Light' and asked why he, the Light, is troubling her, 'nisha', the 'Dark', and asked why not allow to coexist? 'Light' simply said, "Sir, it is her ignorance, her true nature, to complain against me. In fact, she darkness, nisha devi, runs away wherever and whenever I make my presence, as per your will." This is exactly the situation here. Whenever Light, Knowledge, sat, truth prevail darkness, ignorance, asat, untruth disappear!

   But the riddle still remains! How come Light comes out of darkness (just like the Sun appearing from the horizon on the morning after a New Moon night)? How did Light appear when there was only darkness everywhere? How did Light particles, photons, appear in Dark Matter in the cosmos? In fact, as we all know, the Sun is always there. But, darkness hovers and covers half the earth when the sun sets in the evening; and, again, light, sun beams, appear when the sun rises again, the next morning. Little do we understand how stars twinkle in the vast space of darkness! How could there be vast dark space between stars and galaxies. All these are of paramount importance in understanding how the earth, its varied life-forms, and all the paraphernalia appeared.The fundamental questions are still unresolved and many of these remain a mystery forever!
   Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has given a very beautiful explanation in this regard. He has analysed the Rk Veda mantra, particularly, the agni sukta and has enlightened as to how the entire universe is evolved and agni pervaded the universe. All that we see is nothing but agnim in one form or the other. Agni Deva only appears as the Sun in the heavens (Svar), the Moon or Soma in the sky (bhuvah), and anala (agni) on this earth. He, the Lord Agni, appears as Vaishvanara in all the jivarashi and lightens the jiva as the vishva in the daily routine activities. He is also the tejasa in the dream and praajnya in the deep sleep state. He is the Light, the heat, the chit, chiti, chetasa, chaitya, chetana, and all that exist!
  Hence, we are none other than Light only. Our Life is nothing but Light, Intellect, chit-shakti and Force (Vital- airs or prana shakti) and Energy (chiti, chetana, chaitanya).

   When the jiva turns its interests away from the phenomenal objective world and turns inward to contemplate on brahman, it gets enlightened. This 'enlightenment', revelation of its true inner Self, clears all the doubts; but, this happens only to that jiva which seeks enlightenment through contemplation on brahman and consistently works for it. Other jivas remain in darkness.
    All the jivas are normally born in ignorance, live through ignorance, and die in ignorance. Only a jiva or two among the billion or, may be, a few among the trillions, ever seek enlightenment and work sincerely for it!

Om gam ganeshaya namah |

      Om shree siddhi vinayakaya namah |
   On the occasion of Vinayaka Chaturthi let us pay our obeisance to Lord Vighneshvara and contemplate on Him and his vested powers. Lord Ganesh is the deity of muladhara chakra (basal plexus). He is the basic support (mula adhara) of all the living beings (jivarashi). Symbolically, the Lord is the first emanate of brahman. He is eulogised in the Rk Veda Samhita as the who knows all (kavinaam kavih) and He is the brahmanaspati. He is the knower of brahmn (brahmanam). He, the Lord of all beings (gana) is the supporter of the pious and wards of all evil forces that come in the way of their effort to attain liberation, mukti. As such, He, the  Lord Vighneshvara is the friend of the good and the foe of the evil-mongers and the mischievous. 

  The epics portray Him in different ways. He is endowed with great powers and has all the knowledge to sustain this universe. He is the vidhyadhipati. He is also the great Poet Laureate- kavinaam kavih  and the first born or the first manifest form of brahman- Jyeshtarajam brahman, the all-knowing- brahmanspatih, who writes the Veda and the purana in us. The strange event depicting him as one with an elephant face is just symbolic, and it only means how even Lord Shiva in his egoistic attitude and behavior lost his cool, his sense of 'the self', and treated Ganapati as 'an other'  separate from Him Self and beheaded him! For a moment, he, the Lord, Shiva forgets the fact that everything that is found is the manifest of His own Self and nothing else!
    The  elephant face is an indication of sharp eyes for details, keen sense of hearing and the long nose of sensing in advance what is to come and strength to ward of evil. 
    As regards the rat and the snake associated with the deity Ganesh, it is very important to note that the rat served the Lord as the vehicle, while the serpent tied as a belt is indicative of consciousness (chit-shakti) surrounding the body. The serpent is also associated with Shiva and ananta padmanabha as shesha naga shayana. It is indicative of the potency, virility, all pervasive consciousness. The muladhara deity who dwells in all the jivarashi is the 'I' seated on the Rat. This is what is Rat I on that's all- the Rational - thinking animal!

  Devi Gouri is, incidentally, the Mother Goddess, Bhu Devi. She creates all beings as the earthly creatures, She took a handful of mud, clay and mould a toy and infused life (prana shakti) into it. There comes the Ganapati, a living being according to Shiva purana. This is true of all of us who are the product of the earth, elemental creatures (bhtatmika). It is strange that people do not understand this earthen idol of Ganesh is brought and installed in our homes as symbolic of sentient, earthly existence. The Lord is worshiped in this archa avatara according to agama shastra. Again, symbolically, the idol is sent back to the tank, just as we return our mortal coils back to earth. Thus, lord Ganapati is none else but our Self.

      Now The powers of Ganapati as Kundalini shakti is very important. The deity of all that exists is Ganapti whose seat is the base.He is the Guru, teacher, gravitational force that keeps all in balance. If there were no Ganapati we would never sit, stand or walk! As the scribe of Vedavyasa, Lord Gahapati writes the epic Mahabharata Puarana. In fact this Veda is the ultimate knowledge of the Self.Lord ganapati inscribes the knowledge in our soul with his tooth! He writes on the tablet of our  heart.Seated in our  muladhara chakra writes the supreme knowledge of teh self in our anahata chakra. Thus, the Veda,upanishad, the purana and all that is not elsewhere outside of us; it is within us in the Atman. Atmai vedgm sarvam | The Atma knows all. \

  Now, who is Ganapati? Whom do we worship? The supreme Lord is established in the jivas as the pure consciousness (prajnya), and He operates the jiva as the prana shakti and He is vital airs,the vital airs. Al that is is brahmn. sarvam khaluvidam brahma is the Vedic doctrine.There is nothing besides brahmn. Hence all the living beings- jiva rashi, are created, sustained and dissolved by the will of the Lord.   
   The Atharva Veda eulogizes the Lord Ganapati in a number of ways. There is Ganesha Gita and Ganesha sahasranama. Now, Ganapati has become an integral part of the daily life of every conscious being since He, the Lord, is nothing but the embodiment of Consciousness.  

Siddhi

The spiritual seeker gets  a number of siddhi and can performs miracles. The eight siddhi enumerated start with anima, girima, etc. and the onlookers will be mesmerized seeing these miracles. However, these are mere by-products and an obstacle for attaining the final goal. Some sadhakas are carried away by these achievements and stop further practice and start enjoying the little benefits.These accounts of miracles are too many to quote here. It is also possible that the spiritually attained persons are not even aware of what is happening when they are performing miracles. They do not give any attention to these and treat them as trivialities.

   But, then what are the qualities of the spiritually attained persons. It is explained in the Gita. When Arjuna asks Bhagavan Shree Krishna: sthitaprajnyasya ka bhasha samadhistastha keshava | The lord answers, sthita dheehir muniruchyate | It is thus clear that a spiritually attained person is a sage, a muni. He is not perturbed by profit and loss; he is not affected by the praise or abuses, neither loves nor hates. nabhinandati na dveshti | ragadvesha vimuktaistu | He appears normal in his day to day activities and will not exhibit any special powers; it is difficult to recognize him as an attained person, Arjuna begs pardon of Lord Shree Krishna and says, Krishna, please pardon me. He begs pardon again and again and says, "I am so sorry that I addressed you as my friend and talked lightly of you when we were together in camps without knowing who you are!"

    Many are the surprising ways of great men! They talk illegibly, blabber anything. Most of the time, they do not make any sense. They are revel in their own moods and ecstasy. They are not engaged in the worldly pursuits. They have nothing to do here and there is no where to go. They are happy as they are! This is the ultimate joy, freedom, and attainment. These great souls do not even know when they discard their mortal bodies and do not need any funeral rites. They are released from bondage even while living here, the real jivanmukta.  
   Siddhi is not what we want.Any attainments other than total liberation from the repeated embodiments is not important. One has to strive hard to discard, not acquire. Any acquisition is a blemish., stain, becomes a upadhi that covers the ever-glowing Light, the soul, Ayman. One has to clearly understand this. Otherwise evn spiritual exercise becomes a bondage. Ultimately everything should lead to nothingness, a state of dynamic silence, not total silence!
Once it so happened that Sage Durvasa, known for his ego and anger was seen by Sage Devarishi Narada. Sage Narada respectfully addressed the great sage and said, "Sir, why are you carryig so much burden?" Durvasa Muni was shocked to hear this since he was not carrying anything. However, he contained his anger and took three dips in the sacred R. Viraja and refreshed himself. He felt so relived that he really understood what the great Devarishi Narada meant. Even knowledge is a burden at the end. It is the R.Viraja, the gateway to Brahma loka that can relieve a person of all his attachments. Even a Brahma Rishi cannot attain to the state of 'brahmn; until he drops his Rishi state and become nothing! All names,forms, and functions are blemishes attached to the soul.

  Hence, it is worthwhile to take to spiritual practice only as a means of total redemption. It is not easy to gain moksha for the mortals who are so immersed in samsara. The karma klesha, the karma phala that one has earned due to commissions and omissions have to be spent before one can turn to spiritual pursuits. One should lead a pious (satvika) life. It is essential to cleanse oneself of all afflictions such as moha, krodha, lobha, mada, matsarya, etc. The supreme Lord says, tasmaadyogirbhavaarjunaa |